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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-23-1993 - III-C 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. L-C ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: MARCH 23, 1993 SUBJECT: PAVING PARKING LOTS; SITE WORK FOR BARTOW PROPERTY DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND CENTRAL SERVICES PUBLIC HEARING: YES: NO:XX ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: PAM JONES, ext. 2650 Telephone Number- Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 967-9251 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To consider paving the unpaved portions of parking areas on the Downtown Hillsborough campus; and to consider site work on the property purchased from Ms.Virginia Bartow in 1990. BACKGROUND: When the Government Services Center Project was being programmed there was considerable doubt that the building designed could be built for the funds available. As a result of the depressed state of the construction industry at the time of bidding, when the bids were actually received the numbers were considerably more reasonable than what had been anticipated. During this same period of time, the Town of Hillsborough's Parking Committee was in earnest discussion about the parking plight of the Town. One of the solutions being seriously discussed was the construction of a parking deck on the Margaret Lane site. Primarily due to these two factors, when the Government Services Project was bid, we intentionally did not include paving the Margaret Lane parking lot. However,we have now completed the project, including the renovation work at the Tax and Records building,and the project funds available would in fact support the cost of paving the lot. In a recent meeting,the parking committee endorsed this action as well. While the parking lot was "improved" through the course of the project by leveling it and placing new gravel, it has become obvious that the gravel solution is less than acceptable and that paving is the obvious alternative. Various options for paving the lot have been discussed and in turn presented to our project architect. Their response indicates that our interests would best be served by asphalt paving the lot. The general contractor will perform the work under his existing contract for an amount not to exceed $38,138 for the large lot on Margaret Lane and $10,888 for the unpaved area which fronts Churton Street to the south of the new Courthouse,for a total of $49,026. We originally viewed this second area as paved, however, a recent inspection of the area shows it to be unacceptable condition. It is therefore recommended that this area be resurfaced as well. It should further be noted, that the unit prices upon which the cost of this work is based, were submitted as part of the original bid in 2 1990.The architect's hours are estimated at 25-30 hours for a not-to-exceed cost of$2,000,thereby making the total cost to be around $51,026 to pave all unpaved portions of the Downtown Hillsborough County campus parking. As indicated earlier, funds are available within the project account. The contractor advises me that work will take approximately 10 days to complete, barring inclement weather. They would likely move in on Thursday,April 1,with completion by Saturday,April 10. This schedule would take advantage of the fact that there will be no Court during the week before Easter. As you are aware,the lot is extremely busy most weeks,particularly during the first part of the week during jury selection. We should be able to avoid a chaotic parking situation if we adhere to this schedule. The second item was not part of the original scope of work of the Government Services Center project, but due to its proximity, has a natural correlation. The Board may remember in 1990 when the County purchased approximately two acres adjacent to the above-mentioned parking areas from Ms. Virginia Bartow. The property extends to the Eno River. There have been a number of ideas expressed regarding the use of this area, however, none have been fully developed nor endorsed by the Board or County management. Regardless of the final use of the property, there will be extensive site work required to grove out the trees and clear the underbrush. The cost of accomplishing the clearing work has been estimated at $3,000 per acre. It should be noted that we have extensive resources available within our own staff to assist us in determining the what extent the clearing should occur in order to minimize erosion on the site and to maintain the most viable trees. To that end, we will request assistance from David Nash in the Soil and Water Department as well as Emily Cameron and Warren Faircloth in the Planning Department. In addition, it is recommended that work be done to shore up the dam on the small pond on the property, so it can be properly utilized. We have a window of opportunity available to us, in that the cost for accomplishing this work could be supported by the residual funds of the Government Services Center project. With the Board's endorsement, we will pursue bids for the site work, as well as shoring up the dam. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve paving the parking lots and authorize the Manager to execute the necessary change orders;and that further,the Board authorize the work to be done on the Bartow property.